After appearing in Broadway musicals of the 1920s, Russell helped conceptualize many early television shows, including the popular game show Name That Tune (1954–59). He appeared as the emcee of Bonnie Maid's Versatile Varieties (1950–51) and Your Pet Parade (1951), and was announcer on the quiz show Time Will Tell (1954). He hosted the Miss America Pageant (1940–54; it was first televised in 1954) and was emcee for the Miss Universe, Miss World, and Miss Canada pageants.